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Franciscan Primary School

English at Franciscan

Early Reading N- Y2 

Using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised for Engaging Phonics Lessons

At Franciscan Primary School, we utilise the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program to design and deliver stimulating phonics lessons. Through phonics instruction, we instil in pupils the understanding that letters represent distinct sounds, which can be combined in various ways to form words. Our pupils gain proficiency in recognizing the multitude of sounds and combinations they may encounter while reading or writing.

Our phonics curriculum commences in Nursery and adheres to a meticulously structured sequence that enables pupils to build upon their existing phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they progress through their schooling. This approach empowers all our pupils to confidently tackle any unfamiliar words they may encounter. Additionally, we incorporate modelling of these strategies within shared reading and writing activities both inside and outside of the phonics lesson, ensuring their effective application across the curriculum.

Phonics and Early Reading Instruction in Early Years and KS1

Nursery:

  • pupils follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised "Foundations for Phonics" guidance
  • emphasis on daily oral blending and language development through high-quality stories and rhymes

Reception and Year 1:

  • pupils adhere to the progression outlined in the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program
  • daily phonics lessons with a review session on Fridays
  • phonics instruction begins in Reception Week 2 to provide a strong foundation
  • by the end of Reception, pupils will have completed Phase 4 of the program
  • by the end of Year 1, pupils will have completed Phase 5 of the program

Year 2:

  • Year 2 pupils receive reinforcement to address any gaps in their phonics knowledge during the Autumn term

Reading Practice Sessions:

  • pupils across Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 (and beyond, if applicable) apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session
  • these sessions are 15 minutes long and take place three times a week, with approximately 6 pupils per group
  • the sessions follow the model set forth in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised
  • subsequently, pupils take the same book home the following week to share their success with their families
  • In Reception, these sessions begin in Week 4. pupils who are not yet blending take home a wordless book

Assessing Phonics Knowledge:

  • Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, a review session takes place at the end of each week to recap the learning
  • additionally, there are whole review weeks (pre-planned and bespoke review weeks to address gaps identified by the class teacher's ongoing formative assessment)
  • pupils identified in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 as being at risk of falling behind are immediately recognized, and daily 'keep-up' sessions are implemented – these sessions adhere to the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program
  • Reception and Year 1, pupils are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker
  • pupils in Year 1 complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check in the summer term
  • pupils who do not meet the standard in the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 will complete it in Year 2. Ongoing support is provided for these pupils

Reading for Pleasure – Early Years and KS1

In addition to daily phonics instruction, fostering a love of reading is an integral component of our Early Reading program. We strive to cultivate a passion for reading in our pupils by exposing them to a diverse range of captivating and relevant authors. We promote a love of reading through the following strategies:

  • Instruction in poetry, encompassing the performance and memorization of various poems
  • Daily story time sessions
  • Whole-class reading sessions featuring a selection of books carefully mapped out to ensure a rich reading diet for pupils, explicit vocabulary instruction, and opportunities to learn key phrases from the book
  • Designated book areas within the classroom stocked with a thoughtfully curated collection of books, including those by the focus author
  • Utilisation of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised 'Foundations for a Love of Reading' stories in Nursery
  • Apart from their decodable reading book, pupils also take home a reading for pleasure book each week. Within each year group, pupils will bring home a variety of books by diverse authors, including some they have encountered in class

How we teach phonics and Early Reading (Early Years and KS1)

At Franciscan Primary School, we use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program to plan and deliver engaging daily phonics lessons. Through these lessons, we teach pupils that the letters of the alphabet represent different sounds, which can be combined in various ways to form words. Our goal is to help pupils recognize all the different sounds and combinations they might encounter when reading or writing. 

Our phonics instruction begins in Nursery and follows a specific sequence that allows pupils to build upon their previous knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they progress through school. This approach ensures that all our pupils can confidently tackle any unfamiliar words they might encounter. 

We also model these phonics strategies in shared reading and writing activities, both within and outside of phonics lessons and across the curriculum. We place a strong emphasis on developing language skills because we recognize that speaking and listening are crucial foundations for reading and writing in all subjects. 

Nursery

In Nursery, pupils follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised ‘Foundations for Phonics’ guidance. The focus is on daily oral blending and language development through high-quality stories and rhymes. 

Reception and Year 1

In Reception and Year 1, pupils follow the progression within the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program. Phonics is taught daily with a review session on Fridays. Phonics lessons begin in Reception in Week 2 to ensure a strong start.

By the end of Reception, pupils will have been taught up to the end of Phase 4.

By the end of Year 1, pupils will have been taught up to the end of Phase 5.

Pupils in Year 2 recap any gaps in their phonics knowledge in the Autumn Term.

Reception lessons start at 15 minutes, with daily additional oral blending, increasing quickly to 30 minutes.

Year 1 lessons are 30 minutes long

Reading Practice Sessions

Pupils across Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 (and beyond if appropriate) apply their phonics knowledge by using a full matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session. These sessions are 15 minutes long and happen three times a week. There are approximately 6 pupils in a group.

The sessions follow the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. The pupils then take the same book home the following week to ensure success is shared with the family.

In Reception, these sessions start in Week 4. pupils who are not yet blending take a wordless book home. 

Phonics Assessment

In Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, there is a review session at the end of each week to recap the learning. There are also whole review weeks (pre-planned and bespoke review weeks to address gaps identified by the class teacher’s ongoing formative assessment).

pupils identified in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 as at risk of falling behind are immediately identified, and daily ‘keep up’ sessions are put in place – these sessions follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised program.

In Reception and Year 1, the pupils are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker.

Pupils in Year 1 complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check in the Summer Term. pupils who do not meet the standard in the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 will complete it in Year 2. Support continues to be put in place for these pupils. 

Reading for Pleasure – Early Years and KS1

Alongside daily phonics teaching, reading for pleasure is an important part of our Early Reading offer. We ensure that pupils develop a love of reading and are exposed to a range of interesting and relevant authors. We promote a love of reading in the following ways:

  • Teaching of poetry, which includes performing and learning a range of poems by heart.
  • pupils reading poetry in a classroom
  • Daily story time
  • pupils listening to a story in a classroom
  • Whole-class reading sessions that include a variety of books mapped out to ensure pupils have a rich reading diet, vocabulary is explicitly taught, and pupils can learn key phrases in the book.
  • pupils reading a book together in a classroom
  • Book areas within the classroom that have a careful selection of books, including books by the focus author.
  • classroom with a book area
  • Use of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised ‘Foundations for a Love of Reading’ stories in Nursery.
  • pupils reading a book in a classroom
  • Alongside pupils' decodable reading book, pupils also take home a reading for pleasure book each week. In each year group, pupils will take home a range of books by various authors, including some they have read in class. 

Reading

Nurturing Lifelong Readers at Franciscan Primary School

At Franciscan Primary School, we firmly believe that reading is a fundamental life skill, essential for academic success and personal fulfilment. By the time our pupils leave Franciscan, we aim to instil in them a deep-seated love for reading and the ability to confidently select and enjoy a wide range of reading materials. 

Equipping Readers for Success

We empower our pupils with the necessary tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary and comprehend challenging texts. They develop the confidence to recommend books to their peers and explore a diverse array of genres, including non-fiction. Pupils actively engage in book discussions, critically evaluating an author's use of language and its impact on the reader. We encourage our pupils to hone their critical thinking skills and confidently express their opinions, not only on whether they enjoy a text but also on the extent to which they agree with its content. 

Diverse and Inclusive Reading Materials

We carefully curate our reading materials, ensuring that they represent a rich and diverse reading diet. Our book corners reflect the wide range of backgrounds and experiences within our school community, fostering a sense of inclusivity and belonging. We believe that by exposing our pupils to a variety of perspectives and narratives, we are nurturing their empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the world around them.

Our Reading Goals: Instilling a Love for Reading

Our reading curriculum is designed to achieve the following goals:

  1. Cultivate a deep appreciation for reading and foster a lifelong love of books
  2. Empower pupils with the skills to confidently select and read a wide range of materials
  3. Nurture critical thinking skills and encourage pupils to express their opinions about what they read
  4. Expand pupils' exposure to diverse perspectives and narratives through a carefully curated selection of reading materials
  5. Provide a welcoming and inclusive reading environment where pupils feel valued and respected for their reading choices 

Writing 

Cultivating Skilled and Passionate Writers at Franciscan Primary School

At Franciscan Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child leaves our school equipped with the ability to write clearly, grammatically correctly, and engagingly. Recognising writing as a fundamental life skill, we provide daily writing opportunities that nurture our pupils' ability to write effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes. 

Writing at Franciscan

We employ a comprehensive approach to ensure the success of our young writers:

  1. Transcription: We emphasise the importance of accurate spelling, handwriting, and presentation.
  2. Audience, Purpose, and Genre: We guide pupils in understanding the intended audience, purpose, and genre of their writing, equipping them to tailor their work accordingly.
  3. The Writing Journey: We break down the writing process into manageable steps, including planning, drafting, editing, and revising, to guide pupils through the journey of creating a well-structured piece of writing.
  4. Oracy: We recognize the value of oracy in developing writing skills. Pupils engage in oral discussions and activities to explore and articulate their ideas before putting them into writing.
  5. Grammar & Vocabulary Enrichment:  expanding pupils' linguistic repertoire and enhancing their writing fluency.
  6. Inspiring a Love for Writing: We foster a love for writing by exposing pupils to high-quality literature and encouraging them to draw inspiration from these captivating works.

Each of these aspects is integrated into our daily lessons, ensuring consistent reinforcement and application. 

Grammar Instruction

We provide pupils with explicit grammar instruction to enhance their writing accuracy and enable them to engage in precise discussions about writing. Grammar concepts are taught either discretely or within the context of writing tasks, depending on the complexity of the concept. Additionally, teachers showcase exemplary writing pieces in class, providing pupils with models to emulate. 

Vocabulary Expansion

We ensure consistent exposure to the same grammar skills across all year groups, allowing pupils to master fundamental concepts and gradually progress to more intricate grammatical structures. To support their language choices, vocabulary is displayed in books and on the classroom working walls. 

Writing Stamina and Quality

Pupils are provided with ample opportunities to craft pieces of writing over multiple days. This approach allows them to develop writing stamina, effectively implement the various stages of the writing journey, and dedicate sufficient time to produce high-quality work. Additionally, pupils have easy access to their personal writing targets, ensuring they are aware of their next steps in their writing journey.

Through our comprehensive and engaging writing instruction, we strive to empower our pupils to become confident, expressive, and skilled writers, ready to communicate effectively and impactfully throughout their lives. 

Franciscan Primary English Early Years Overview

Franciscan Primary English Y1-6 Overview